Influence of sedimentary environments on mechanical properties of clastic rocks

The sedimentary environments are the intrinsic factor controlling the mechanical properties of clastic rocks. Examining the relationship between rock sedimentary environments and rock mechanical properties gives a better understanding of rock deformation and failure mechanisms. In this study, more than 55 samples in coal measures were taken from seven different lithologic formations in eastern China. Using the optical microscope the sedimentary characteristics, such as components of clastic rocks and sizes of clastic grains were quantitatively tested and analyzed. The corresponding mechanical parameters were tested using the servo-controlled testing system. Different lithologic attributes in the sedimentary rocks sampled different stress–strain behaviors and failure characteristics under different confining pressures, mainly due to different compositions and textures. Results demonstrate that clastic rocks have the linear best-fit for Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. The elastic moduli in clastic rocks are highly dependent upon confining pressures, unlike hard rocks. The envelope lines of the mechanical properties versus the contents of quartz, detritus of the grain diameter of more than 0.03 mm, and grain size in clastic rocks are given. The compressive strength or elastic modulus and the grain diameter have a non-monotonic relation and demonstrate the “grain-diameter softening” effect.     

Inferring erosional resistance of bedrock units in the east Tennessee mountains from digital elevation data

Measures of local relief, regional relief, and slope were calculated from digital elevation models (DEMs) for 50 bedrock units in the Ridge and Valley and Blue Ridge provinces of Tennessee. Each of these measures was normalized and the three were then averaged to produce the erosional resistance index (ERI). Bedrock units with higher ERI values include coarse clastics, intermediate clastics, and metaplutonics. Units with lower values include shales, limestones, limestones plus dolostones, and carbonates plus fine clastics. Dolostones tend to have intermediate values. The calculated ERI values were compared with subjective ratings by a geologist with decades of field experience in east Tennessee. Generally, the agreement between the two ratings was good, the most glaring exception being several shales with improbably high ERI values. These turned out to be thin units cropping out beneath very hard sandstones, allowing them to stand higher and steeper than would otherwise be possible. A systematic method for detecting such erroneously high ERI values is suggested. Inspection of a drainage map superimposed on the geology map shows that in a given area, streams tend to flow on rock units with the lowest ERI values. In addition, statistical analysis shows that bedrock units with the lowest ERI values are, on average, almost three times closer to the nearest stream and six times as likely to have streams flowing on them than are units with highest values. Further, the effect of ERI on stream location is strongest for streams with drainage areas between 1 and 30 km². Thus, small streams appear to be subject to greater lithologic control than are larger streams.     

基于岩石图像深度学习的岩性自动识别与分类方法

岩石岩性的识别与分类对于地质分析极为重要,采用机器学习的方法建立识别模型进行自动分类是一条新的途径。基于Inception-v3深度卷积神经网络模型,建立了岩石图像集分析的深度学习迁移模型,运用迁移学习方法实现了岩石岩性的自动识别与分类。采用此方法对所采集的173张花岗岩图像、152张千枚岩图像和246张角砾岩图像进行了学习和识别分类研究,通过训练学习建立岩石图像深度学习迁移模型,并分别采用训练集和测试集中的岩石图像对模型进行了检验分析。对于训练集中的岩石图像,每组岩石分别用3张图像测试,三种岩石的岩性分类均正确,且分类概率值均达到90%以上,显示了模型良好的鲁棒性;对于测试集中的岩石图像,每组岩石分别采用9张图像进行识别分析,三种岩石的岩性分类均正确,并且千枚岩组图像分类概率均高于90%,但是花岗岩组2张图像和角砾岩组的1张图像分类概率值不足70%,概率值较其他岩石图像低,推测其原因是训练集中相同模式的岩石图像较少,导致模型的泛化能力减小。为了提高识别精确度,对准确率较低的岩石图像进行截取,分别取其中的3张图像加入训练集进行再训练,增加与测试图像具有相同模式的训练样本;在新的模型中,对3张图像进行二次检验,测试概率值均达到85%以上,说明在数据足够的状况下模型具有良好的学习能力。与传统的机器学习方法相比,所提出的岩石图像深度学习方法具有以下优点:第一,模型通过搜索图像像素点提取物体特征,不需要手动提取待分类物体特征;第二,对于图像像素大小,成像距离及光照要求低;第三,采用适当的训练集可获得较好的识别分类效果,并具有良好鲁棒性和泛化能力。     

当前反射地震学研究中的问题浅析

反射地震学作为地震学应用于国民经济建设的分支学科取得了巨大的成功。它在矿产资源勘探、工程建设与环境、自然灾害预测等各种领域发挥了不可替代的作用，特别是在能源开发中功不可殁。另一方面，反射地震学在广泛的工业应用中全面地完善和发展了地震学的理论、方法和技术。时至今日，反射地震学的发展已经从经典理论方法的研究走向更加与客观介质密切相关的深层次研究新阶段，这些问题是，反射地震学从单纯的构造研究走向地层岩性研究，与此有关的是从偏移构造成像步入层析成像、利用单波单分量数据转向应用多波多分量数据、假设地层为固体弹性介质转向双相孔隙介质、各向同性研究转向各向异性研究以及经典的一些方法技术与现代新技术同时使用等。本文对这些方面的研究现状进行概要的分析。     

Lithologic control of debris torrent occurrence

A field-based investigation into the frequency and magnitude of debris torrent systems reveals that lithology controls the spatial and temporal occurrence of debris torrents in the Tsitika Watershed, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We identified 125 debris torrent systems in the watershed; for half these basins we used dendrochronology, historical air photographs, and field surveys to estimate debris torrent frequency and magnitude for a 30 year period. We find that the volcaniclastic half of the watershed contains more than twice as many debris torrent systems, in which debris torrents occur over seven times more frequently, and the deposits have a higher rate of delivery of sediment to the mainstem river than the intrusive half. Lithologic differences in weathering rates, weathering product grain size, and rock texture can explain the observed differences in debris torrent behaviour. Because debris torrents are the main sediment transport path from hilltop to valley bottom in the region, these results confirm an important lithologic control on regional sediment transport. While the exact numbers are uncertain, we estimate that the sediment flux of volcaniclastic debris torrents in the watershed is five times higher than that of the intrusive debris torrents.     

Magnetic properties of soils from sites with different geological and environmental settings

Measurements of magnetic susceptibility of soils, reflecting magnetic enhancement of topsoils due to atmospherically deposited magnetic particles of industrial origin, are used recently in studies dealing with outlining polluted areas, as well as with approximate determination of soil contamination with heavy metals. One of the natural limitations of this method is magnetic enhancement of soils caused by weathering magnetically rich parent rock material. In this study we compare magnetic properties of soils from regions with different geological and environmental settings. Four areas in the Czech Republic and Austria were investigated, representing both magnetically rich and poor geology, as well as point-like and diffuse pollution sources. Topsoil and subsoil samples were investigated and the effect of geology and pollution was examined. Magnetic data including mass and volume magnetic susceptibility, frequency-dependent susceptibility, and main magnetic characteristics such as coercivity (Hc and Hcr) and magnetization (Ms and Mrs) parameters are compared with heavy metal contents. The aim of the paper is to assess the applicability of soil magnetometry under different geological-environmental conditions in terms of magnetic discrimination of dominant lithogenic/anthropogenic contributions to soil magnetic signature. Our results suggest that lithology represents the primary effect on soil magnetic properties. However, in case of significant atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic particles, this contribution can be clearly recognized, independent of the type of pollution source (point-like or diffuse), and discriminated from the lithogenic one. Different soil types apparently play no role. Possible effects of climate were not investigated in this study.     

西藏日喀则地区白朗蛇绿岩中石榴辉石岩的岩石地球化学、年代学及其构造意义

白朗石榴辉石岩位于西藏南部雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带上,地处于日喀则地区白朗县境内,因其具有重要的大地构造位置和意义,得到了国内外诸多学者关注。国内外学者对该岩体的研究有助于深入剖析雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的就位机制。本文以白朗石榴辉石岩为研究对象,其野外产出为构造岩块,围岩为没有变形特征的蛇纹石化地幔橄榄岩,早白垩世昂仁组和紫红色硅质岩也没有构造变质现象,且石榴辉石岩与蛇纹石化地幔橄榄岩间界限截然。通过对其进行岩石地球化学和年代学的研究,并结合大地构造动力学观点,认为西藏日喀则地区石榴辉石岩属钙碱性超基性岩,形成于无流体无水的稳定物理化学环境中,略亏损高场强元素Th、Ta、Nb等,锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄为149.0±3.1Ma,且锆石εHf(t)平均值为+17.7,说明原始岩浆主要源于亏损地幔,且没有发生岩浆混染。总结:本文确定白朗石榴辉石岩原始岩浆来源于上地幔,并且该岩石的形成与印度板块和欧亚板块俯冲有关,但在该岩石形成过程中印度板块和欧亚板块没有发生陆陆碰撞。     

Lithology-dependent seismic anisotropic amplitude variation with offset correction in transversely isotropic media

Analysis of amplitude variation with offset is an essential step for reservoir characterization. For an accurate reservoir characterization, the amplitude obtained with an isotropic assumption of the reservoir must be corrected for the anisotropic effects. The objective is seismic anisotropic amplitude correction in an effective medium, and, to this end, values and signs of anisotropic parameter differences (Δδ and Δε) across the reflection interfaces are needed. These parameters can be identified by seismic and well log data. A new technique for anisotropic amplitude correction was developed to modify amplitude changes in seismic data in transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry. The results show that characteristics of pre-stack seismic data, that is, amplitude variation with offset gradient, can be potentially related to the sign of anisotropic parameter differences (Δδ and Δε) between two layers of the reflection boundary. The proposed methodology is designed to attain a proper fit between modelled and observed amplitude variation with offset responses, after anisotropic correction, for all possible lithofacies at the reservoir boundary. We first estimate anisotropic parameters, that is, δ and ε, away from the wells through Backus averaging of elastic properties resulted from the first pass of isotropic pre-stack seismic inversion, on input data with no amplitude correction. Next, we estimate the anisotropic parameter differences at reflection interfaces (values and signs of Δδ and Δε). We then generate seismic angle gather data after anisotropic amplitude correction using Rüger's equation for the P-P reflection coefficient. The second pass of isotropic pre-stack seismic inversion is then performed on the amplitude-corrected data, and elastic properties are estimated. Final outcome demonstrates how introduced methodology helps to reduce the uncertainty of elastic property prediction. Pre-stack seismic inversion on amplitude-corrected seismic data results in more accurate elastic property prediction than what can be obtained from non-corrected data. Moreover, a new anisotropy attribute (ν) is presented for improvement of lithology identification.     

Distribution of coastal cliffs in Kerala,India: their mechanisms of failure and related human engineering response

The 560-km-long Kerala coast is characterised by long barriers with narrow beaches and steep cliffs. Distribution of cliffs from nine sections measuring a cumulative length of 63.5 km is evaluated in ArcGIS Software using topomaps and field survey data. The cliff sections in the southern coast comprise both permeable and impermeable rocks, whereas those along northern coast are comprised of either Precambrian crystalline and/or Tertiary formations. Notches, caves and even small arches are developed in Cannanore, Dharmadam and Kadalundi cliffs, where only primary laterites are exposed to wave attack. Stacks composed of laterite and Precambrian crystallines found in nearshore of cliffed coast indicate recession of shoreline. Mass wasting, mudslide and mudflow type of cliff failures are common in permeable to semi-permeable rocks, whereas rotational sliding, rockfall and toppling failure are found in hard rock cliffs. Retreat of cliff sections are induced by natural or anthropogenic activities or both. Rate of recession vary from a few centimetres to one metre/year depending upon the nature of lithology, structures and recession agents acting upon the cliffs. Various methods of cliff protection for e.g. hard structures—revetments, groins, seawalls, breakwater and jetties—and soft measures—artificial reefs/marsh creation, floating breakwaters, beach nourishment, beach scraping and vegetation planting—are suggested.     

琼东南盆地崖南区少井岩性建模技术研究

崖南区是琼东南盆地已证实的富生烃区,几口已钻井都已证实主要目的层段为高压地层,利用常规的压力预测方法预测新钻井的压力会出现较大的误差.若是从区域应力角度入手预测新钻井的压力误差会减小,其预测基础为岩性模型.对于已开发的油气田,利通常规的岩性建模方法可以建立较好的岩性模型;但是对于崖南区而言,由于地震资料品质不是很好,同时本区钻井较少,很难通过常规的建模方法建立岩性模型,所以本区研究重点是如何利用少井建立岩性模型.通过研究认为若完成崖南区的岩性建模必须改进建模流程,改进的岩性建模流程克服了常规岩性建模在崖南区存在的问题,主要有三方面的优点:1)不采用相模型约束岩性建模,解决了由于研究区相模型划相较粗很难约束岩性模型建立的问题;2)属性模型控制岩性模型的横向变化趋势,解决了几种常规属性与岩性间没有较好关系的问题;3)利用泥质含量结合岩性资料建立岩性体,得到的岩性模型比较接近实际情况.C井钻前完成岩性模型建立,利用C井井点位置提取岩性数据与本井钻后录井岩性数据对比,发现预测岩性与录井岩性的吻合程度很高,证明改进的岩性建模思路在崖南少井区可用.